I have been trying to find a fitness routine for a few weeks now. I have found a lot of ideas. I just feel that I need to find something that suits me. Sitting here typing this here are what "requirements" come to mind:1) Needs to fit into my schedule. In the last couple months I have added babysitting, taking the girls to school, starting a baking group and cradle roll.2) Needs to be quick and not take too much time.3) Needs to fit into a small-ish space

4) Needs to be done easily around a 15-month old and a 2 year 1 month old.5) Push-ups optional (not so much a fan of those)6) Planks also optional

7) Need to be able to recognize and perform the exercises.Those are my "requirements." I have a few options that I think would work. The only hang-up that I am having is the amount and the repititions. I know I would just need to work my way up to the amount but it is just wrapping my head around it that is stalling me.Here are some routines that I have found that I think would work for me:

Problem: I don't recognize all the exercises so would need to look them up. Credit to dailyworkoutapps.com

This one sounds really awesome but again I don't recognize some of these and/or don't know how to do some. Credit goes to fitabcities.com

Looking at this one, I think it just made my top 3! Credit for this awesome plan goes to Downtownn.tumblrThe following two are more of my inspiration ones since they are more colorful and eye-catching. The amounts and repititions are higher on these so they would need to be something that I would need to work up to. Credit for these awesome pictures goes to: Domestic Mama and 365days-of-healthy.com!

I am supposed to weigh in tonight. I am not going. Before you judge me, I have a good reason. #1) my child is sick and #2) I have no sitter tonight. I will miss it but I will be back on track next week. :)

As part of the weightloss journey, there are ups (not so fun) and downs (so enlightning!) Tonight was an up night. But, I am not mad or angry, or upset. Many things about being a woman is your monthly visiter and she is never kind to my waistline (Usually making me gain about 2 lbs.) So, I know that next week I will be down again. :) I went back to work today and now I have to re-work my lunches again. I will win this battle! Next week will be a "down" week. :)

It pays to be persistent! I went 30 weeks of bouncing within 3 lbs. One week I would be up and the next down. Last week, I BROKE the plateau! It felt awesome! This week, I am down another 2 lbs. Bringing my total weight loss to 32 lbs lost. :) I feel great and I have SO much more energy! Loving life!

My journey to shed some weight started over a year ago. I hit 204 lbs (which for my frame and height is a lot!) and decided that it was time to be more diligent about what I was eating, how much of it I was eating and to get fit. My self-esteem was at an all time low and it was affecting how I felt as a parent (I didn't feel I was a good mom) and it was even affecting me at work. ( I didn't feel like I was doing the best job I could, hence the self-esteem plummet) First things first. I needed something that would keep me accountable. I started researching the best possible option for me. I didn't want pills, or gimmicks. Just straight up diet and exercise. I found the perfect program for me and joined up. Weight Watchers seemed to be what fit my lifestyle to best. I saw immediate results. They tell you that 1-2 lbs a week is healthy weight loss. The program was easy to follow and really inspiring. I still attend weekly meetings for tips and tricks and to be cheered on when I meet certain goals. As with any weight loss, it has had it's peaks and valley's. I still attended my weekly Weight Watcher's meetings and get re-inspired every week. What I found the most interesting is that when I told people that I had joined the program, they all said the same thing. "What? You aren't that big!" When I explained to them that I really was "that big" and that I didn't feel good about myself, they then began to realize why I was on this journey. The best part was, they were super supportive of me and encouraging me to do well. I have some really great friends that help me too. Whether it was providing me with a really great recipe or just words of encouragement, they were there for me. My husband has also been supportive. When I told him I needed to do this for me, he said one thing, "So, do it." I did and still am. I have had several people ask my why I started this journey, and I always say the same two things. 1) I want to be around to play with my daughter and watch her grow into the beautiful woman she is going to be2) I don't want to be the fat mom that other kids tease her about. (not that, that is good in any shape or form!)

This past March, I felt I needed more to my diet. I needed the exercise part. Now that I was a few pounds lighter I felt I could move more. So, I meet up with a personal trainer 2 times a week! (Her name is Sabrina and you can check out her website here.) I love it! I feel so strong and empowered when I am done a really intense workout. I also feel really good about ME! I have lost 30 lbs to date and I feel SEXY! I feel like a good mom because I can get on the floor and play with my child. I feel like a good employee too! I AM good at my job!

below is my before and right now picture. I still have more to go, but am totally proud of myself for how far I have come! Stay fit and have fun! (Do you remember those commercials? They totally make sense to me now.)